Brandon Weeden was just pathetic against the Eagles and squandered an admirable defensive showing from the Browns. It is hard to speak in certainties about a quarterback that’s preparing for his second pro game, but he needs to show marked improvement this week. (As an aside, I legit don’t think it’s possible to have a worse game, so I guess he’s got that going for him.) With a new owner in town, a lot of jobs are tied to Weeden’s performance. And, without this coaching staff’s support, Weeden could find himself holding the clipboard for most of his NFL career. Other teams won’t have much use for an overage retread.

His biggest issue in his debut was handling pressure. In short, he didn’t. At all. He melted whenever Philadelphia cranked up the heat on him. In fact, in situations where the Eagles brought pressure, Weeden was just 3-of-18 for 49 yards with 3 interceptions. It was the same exact shortcomings we saw at Oklahoma State. Except this time those issues were exacerbated because the pressure was more consistent and the schemes more complex. He was an unmitigated disaster. Even for a rookie with an underwhelming supporting cast. And his stronger arm didn’t open up much for this offense because his pocket presence limited shot opportunities. He couldn’t stand in there for more than a couple seconds without wilting. If I’m Mike Zimmer, I’m implementing a bunch of pressure packages into the game plan and I’m putting it all on Brandon Weeden to beat what I bring and make me adapt.

Which means the Browns need to create counters that rebuild Weeden’s confidence. I believe this offensive staff needs to get back to basics with Weeden. Run the concepts he’s most familiar with out of the formations he’s most comfortable in. If that means rolling out a no-huddle, one-back, shotgun-based short spread to start the game, then so be it. Script the first drive (or two), emphasize execution of those snaps during the week of practice, and then attempt to catch the Bengals off-guard with it. Don’t let them substitute into their desired sub-packages. Don’t let them rotate bodies for a fresh push. Do whatever it is that suits Weeden. Tailor the game plan to his strengths. (See: Mike Shanahan’s calls against the Saints. He simplified reads for RGIII and gave him the space to do things he’s done before. It won’t work forever, sure, but it’s an immediate development-booster, and that’s what’s important right now. Taking it week-to-week.)

Other than that, I’d expect to get the ball to the perimeter quicker on bubble screens and whatnot. Little is a tough receiver with the ball in his hands. He can make things happen after the catch and test a defensive backfield’s tackling skills. Twins to either side with Cribbs running a clear-out/blocking route in front of him is something worth exploring more. Cribbs does that well. The Browns hunkered down in max protection for most of the game, but chip-and-release patterns from tight ends can be effective. Weeden threw a ton of slants, but as corners started to recognize the routes and jump the breaks, the offense didn’t adjust. The offense didn’t use their short-breaking tendencies to their advantage enough to keep them honest. And, if Owen Marecic were even a little more than worthless, then he could merit a wrinkle, but he’s just a college reject living off his inflated one-platoon reputation at this point. But, the main thing is to use a multitude of simpler concepts to ease him into some of the NFL staples. Because he struggled transitioning to them against the Eagles.

Richardson looked like a running back with rust. I think he shakes that off once he gets into football shape. Love his competitiveness though as he lobbied for more carries in his first game back. His biggest hindrance this season is going to be those guard spots though. Even more so if Shurmur insists on running him between the B-gaps. For some reason, the Browns knew what was on the roster and chose not to upgrade them or even bring in some worthwhile competition. Right guard Shawn Lauvao is a shield blocker that can’t anchor or push. Left guard Jason Pinkston is masked inside of Joe Thomas and Alex Mack, but I haven’t been enamored with him either. Rookie right tackle Mitchell Schwartz was never the mauler he was advertised to be, and it’s tough to expect him to shoulder the load on the right side as a green technician.

Rookie receivers didn’t get a chance to show much. Josh Gordon has all the NFL projectables and needs some polishing. Travis Benjamin has speed in spades and that’s something the Browns didn’t have before his arrival. What frustrated me most was how Weeden utilized them. For example, throwing Benjamin 50-50 balls with larger corners draped on him. How is a 5-10 speedster going to high-point the ball better than a thicker 6-3 receiver with long arms and some leaps? Ugh.

Billy Winn and John Hughes both flashed some good things at defensive tackle and bring some things to an inside rotation that Taylor and Rubin don’t if they continue to improve their play.

Undrafted free agent L.J. Fort started at strong side linebacker in place of Scott Fujita and James-Michael Johnson and shouldn’t be giving that spot back with the suspensions getting uplifted. He’s a far rangier linebacker than Fujita and that’s something the Browns lacked at the second level last season outside of D’Qwell Jackson. Fujita and Gocong are liabilities outside of the box. Fort showed some promise in the preseason and wasn’t lost in the regular season opener. Exploring his upside does more for the future than giving those snaps to Fujita.

Mike Adams continues to be shaky, shows flashes one play and gets abused the next. No help to him that hes had to play next to legursky both in the preseason at LT and in week one as backup RT. Legursky is a backup center, thats it

Thompson looked pretty solid.
Still was bad at times. He got OWNED on a trap. Needs to tone back his aggressiveness.

Did see a pretty awesome pressure from Still upon a second viewing and he looked better overall than what I thought. You're right about his aggressiveness but he did some good things. Thompson looked stout in the run game as well. He played a little bit more than I realized at the outset.

Love DVRing games and going back to watch them even though this game was quite ****** for a Bengals fan.

One thing I'm really liking about Mark Barron is the fact that he doesn't feel the need to act like he's all that after he makes a good play. Watching him, you get the impression that it's just another day at the office for him.

He did the same thing when he blew up Steve Smith. He stared at him for a couple of seconds like, "How do you like that?" and went straight back to the huddle.

Tannehill looked much better against a not-so-dominant defense and didn't turn the ball over at all. Jonathan Martin started again and has played better than in the preseason. Lamar Miller had a great debut.

David Wilson: Looked good for 2 runs vs Dallas. Then fumbled. Then cried. Then sucked vs Tampa.

Rueben Randle: Flashed potential in the preseason. Is currently eating a sandwich on the bench.

Jayron Hosely: Looked great in the PS. Got a pick 6, celebrated by high stepping and dragging his foot against the turf. Got turf toe. Now is also currently eating a sandwich on the bench until he heals.

Adrian Robinson: Looked lost in the PS. Won't sniff any playing time this year.

Mosely: Looked mediocre in PS. Went to IR. (One of those classic healthy IR moves that every team does).

McCants: Sucked. Cut.

Kuhn: Looked good enough to make the 53 in camp. Hasn't seen any game action yet during the regular season.

Richardson beast!!! Weeden was really good, bounced back and actually looked like a starting QB. Billy Winn got hurt and left the game :( Mitchell Schwartz played better against the Bengals after struggling against Jason Babin in week one. What a difference one week makes for all those rookies.

Andrew Luck: lead a game-winning drive vs. the Vikings, covering 45 yards in under 25 game seconds. No turnovers, either. He needs to step into his deep throws, but that's hard because the OL sucks and he can't set his feet. He's on a leash for now but really shines in no-huddle.

Coby Fleener caught some good passes in the 1st game but was pretty quiet in week 2. He needs to be used more in the red zone.

Dwayne Allen got his first TD. Has been a big help blocking. Tough guy.

TY Hilton nothing to report

Josh Chapman on the PUP, hopefully will start at some point this year.

Vick Ballard should really be starting over Dammit Donald Brown but with this OL it doesn't really matter that much.

I wasn't able to watch the whole game but Courtney Upshaw looked very solid vs. Philly yesterday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzlegom

Lamar Miller had a great debut.

Maybe it's the Cane wearing #26 thing, but he reminded me so much of Broncos Portis on that TD run. I still think Lamar will be the best back from this class not named Trent Richardson. Reggie just needs to go back to his old ways so Lamar can shine. :p